The American GI Forum was founded in 1948, Corpus Christi, Texas, to fight against discriminatory practices toward Mexican Americans in the areas of military benefits, education, employment, medical care, and housing. This movement spread into neighboring states, gaining national prominence through the organization of more chapters. The San Jose Chapter was founded in 1959 and is now the largest membership chapter in the western United States. The organization’s objectives are to 1) improve cultural exchange, 2) empower disenfranchised citizens, 3) improve support services to veterans, and 4) assist local ethnic minority students entering college through scholarships. Programs include a residential program that assists young men overcoming alcoholism to transition back into the community; annual scholarship program granting, on average, $50,000 to a number of students per year; annual toy drive giveaway; the annual Cinco de Mayo and Fiestas Patrias parades and outdoor festivals, which include more than 100 parade entries and festival vendors of community groups, government agencies, and local and corporate businesses; and on-call support to veterans to assist with military benefits.